Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for processing documents in a path wherein the documents each have first and second ends. Some of the documents have the first end being the leading end, and others of the documents have the second end being the leading end. The documents are conveyed to a receiver. The documents with the first end leading are conveyed into one end of the receiver. The documents with the second end leading are conveyed into the other end of the receiver from the opposite direction. The documents in the receiver then all have the same end orientation in the receiver. Two documents may initially be fed one on top of the other between a rotating wheel and retard pad. This selectively retards one document against the pad until the other document has been fed further forwardly beyond the leading edge of the one document.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for exposing the contents of an envelope which has two opposing panels wherein the panels have been separated from each other along all but one edge portion where the panels remain connected. The envelope is gripped on one of the panels and then the envelope is oriented so that at least the contents of the envelope fall away from the gripped panel to thereby expose the envelope contents.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for opening envelopes by chemically degrading the envelope material at the envelope edges. A chemical degrading agent which functions more effectively when heated is applied to the envelope edges. The envelopes are arranged and aligned in face-to-face relationship to form at least one batch. The batches of envelopes are conveyed around an endless conveying loop oriented in a substantially vertical plane and defining upper and lower horizontal conveying paths. Heating platens are moved against the agent-applied edges of the envelopes to contact the agent-applied edges of the envelopes and to flex the envelopes inwardly of the edges to laterally displace the edges against the platens and transfer heat by conduction to the edges whereby the envelope material is degraded along the edges.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for opening envelopes by applying an envelope material degrading chemical to the edges of the envelopes. The edges are contacted with a planar heating member and the envelopes are bent inwardly so that the edges are laterally displaced out of the planes defined by the major portions of the associated envelopes to promote more effective contact of the envelope edges with the heated member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed in which a plurality of envelopes are arranged and aligned in face-to-face relationship to form at least one batch of envelopes with at least a first edge of each envelope in the batch disposed substantially in a common plane and with a second edge of each envelope normal to the first edge and disposed substantially in a common plane. The first edges of the envelope are sprayed with a liquid envelope material degrading agent that functions more effectively when heated. The spraying is effected in a substantially planar fan spray pattern that is substantially parallel to the plane of the envelopes. The spray is moved along the batch in a direction normal to the planes of the envelopes to apply the agent to the first edges. The second edges of the envelopes are also sprayed with the liquid agent with a substantially planar fan spray pattern oriented substantially transversely to the planes of the envelopes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for transferring a batch of envelopes that have been arranged in face-to-face relationship. The envelopes are transferred in a substantially horizontal plane from a first location to a second location spaced from the first location. The apparatus includes a pair of downwardly depending spaced-apart members which are each adapted to contact the batch of envelopes along the end edges of the envelopes. One of the paddles is adapted to urge a batch along a guide channel from the first position to the second position. The other of the paddles is adapted to urge a batch along the guide channel in the opposite direction from the second position to the first position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for feeding envelopes in a linear array between upstanding conveyor flights and for transferring the envelopes, a batch at a time, to an elevated position for removal to a next processing station. Envelopes are subsequently received in a receiving cradle at the elevated transfer station and are carried downwardly to a lower exit station where the batch of envelopes is discharged to a receiving bin.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for receiving and processing a stack of small documents, such as checks. The documents are stacked in front surface-to-back surface relationship and are singly fed from the stack automatically into a path. The advancement of every two documents is interrupted for a period of time at predetermined positions along the path to effect a selected spacing between the two documents and to align their leading edges. Subsequently, the interruption of the movement of the two documents is terminated to allow the documents to continue forward in a pair at the selected spaced apart distance. The apparatus for effecting this method comprises a document feeder apparatus, a conveyor apparatus defining the document path, and a pair of rotatable gate members which rotate into and out of the path for interrupting the advancement of the documents.

Abstract: In an envelope opening process in which an aqueous solution of a chemical degradation agent, such as tartaric acid is applied to envelope edges and the envelope edges are then heated and subjected to a mild mechanical action, penetration of the degradation agent through the envelope paper at its edges is assured by including in the aqueous solution from 2.5% to 30% of a glycol ether, such as ethylene glycol ethyl ether.

Abstract: A process is provided for the opening of envelopes made of cellulosic paper by the action of a chemical degradation agent in the presence of radiant heat in which the radiant heat is generated from a source maintained at a temperature high enough to produce a substantial amount of radiation having a wave length of 2 microns or less and by applying to the edges to be opened a darkening material capable of absorbing a substantial portion of the incident radiant energy.

Abstract: A process is provided for the opening of envelopes made of cellulosic paper in which there is applied to at least one envelope edge as the sole reactant with the cellulose therein a non-noxious organic acid having at least one pK value at room temperature between about 1.5 and about 5, followed by the application of heat and mild mechanical action to the envelope edge.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing staples by effecting displacement thereof through documents to effect separation of the staple from the documents.

Abstract: A method for removing staples by effecting displacement thereof through documents to effect separation of the staple from the documents.

Abstract: A document feeding apparatus sequentially feeding documents, including an automatic feeder for removing one document at a time from a stack and for delivering each document to a feed path. An endless conveyor moves each document along the path towards a document aligning gate means that temporarily interrupts the movement of the documents to effect desired alignment thereof. The automatic feeder and the document aligning gate are automatically controlled so that the documents are selectively removed from the stack as a function of the preceding document moving along the path. A pair of printing heads are positioned along the path and are respectively actuated in response to movement of the documents so that the documents can be printed at accurately positioned locations on a surface thereof.